Grain-binder



BSheets-Sheet 1.

A. STARK. Grain Binder.

Patented March 22,, U881.

WITNESSES 5 w N R 0. W .A

a Sheets-'-Sheet 2.

A. STARK. Grain Binder.

0. 239,199. Pmemed 22, E8?! WITNESSES M/J 7 ATTORNEYS 3 sheew fiheet 3.

A. STARK..- Grain Binder. v No, 239,399. Pammed m'ch 3% ii flfl UNTTED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ANDREYV STARK, OF TOPEKA, KAXSAS.

GRAIN-BINDER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 239,199, dated March 22, 1881.

Application filed February 16, 1875.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ANDREW STARK, of Topeka, in the county of Shawnee and State of Kansas, have invented certain new and useio tl'e same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to that class of grainbinders in which wire is employed for binding material. Its object is to furnish improved binding and other mechanism, whereby wil be obviated the numerous difficultics which are met with in grain-binders of ordinary construction.

It consists in the construction and operation of the binder-arm, on which is supported the wire-twisting, cutting, and holding device; in the peculiar manner by which the movements of the binder-arm are controlled; in the con,- strnctiou and automatic operation of the twisting, cutting, and clamping device; in the manner by which the tension is perfectly regulated; and 111 other improvements, all of which will be hereinafter fully explained.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is an end elevation, and Fig. 2 is a rear side elevation, of my invention. Fig. 3 is a plan, and Figs. 4 and 5 are elevations from different sides, of the twister. Fig. 6 is a. plan of the clamping, cutting, and holding device detached from the stem of the twister; and Figs. 7, S, 9, and 10 are detail views of the several parts thereof.

a is the platform, made in the desired shape and secured to the framing a in proper position. It has formed through it the channel or course a, along or through which the end of the binder-arm travels in the process of binding the grain; and it has attached to it, at the exit or rear end of the channel, a projection, (d, which engages the actuating-lever of the shears and clamp, for purposes hereinafter specified.

a is an overhanging frame, composed of the arm or beam a and the cross-head a. The arm or beam c is secured to the framing a,

and extends outward over the platform a, and has secured to its end the cross-head a, nearly in line above the channel or course a On this overhau gin gframe is supported the binderarm, with its operating crank and shaft, and its controlling or auxiliary arm, hereinafter described.

b is acog-rack, secured to the framing below the platform a and placed parallel with the course a so thatit will engage with and give the proper motion to the pinion on the shaft of the twister on the end of the binder-arm.

c is the spool for holding the wire 0. The end of the binding-wire o is carried diagonally through the slotted rocking tension-bar c, pivoted at its center, and in which are placed the pulleys 0 c, as shown, and thence around a fixed guide-pulley, c and up through the course a" to the twister on the binder-arm. The rocking tension-bar c is held by a spring, 0', which causes it to turn on its center and throw one of itsends back and the other forward against the binding-wire, thus providing for the latter a double take-up of the slack, and more efliciently preserving the proper tension than is done by devices of ordinary construction.

:1 is the binder-arm, formed of an upper end or arm, (1 and a curved lower grappling-end or forearm, II". The upper arm, (1*, is, by preference, made straight, as shown, and has in its outer end suitable holes for the. reception of a bearing-pin, d. The lower end or forearm, (i is bent back from the line of the arm (1, and has its point turned forward, forming a curved arm adapted to grasp and hold the grain as the latter is being bound. At the angle of union between the parts (1* and d there is formed the bearing d for the pin 61 on the operating-crank (I which is journaled on the overhanging frame a, and driven by a pulley, d affixed to the outer end of its shaft. The binder-arm has its upperend bifurcated,the two parts d d of which are widely separated or flared at or near their central point, which is at the angle between the upper and lower ends, 11 d, and at the place where the bearings d are placed. The wings (I d have their extreme upper ends brought close together, and

embrace between them the swinging end of 100 the auxiliary arm d and are, secured by the pin d. The extended pin or handle (1 of the crank d is placed in the bearings d. The binder-arm, thus provided with double supportin g-win gs and double bearings, will possess great strength without superfluous weight, and being controlled by the auxiliary arm d moving on a fixed pin on the same cross-head a, in which is journaled the operating-crank d will move with perfect steadiness, firmness, and regularity, thus obviating serious difficulties in and objections to binder-arms of ordinary construction.

. To the upper end, (1 of the binder-arm is affixed one end of the auxiliary arm (17, the opposite end of which is secured to and turns on a fixed point or pin, (1, on the end of the cross-head a, toward and over the rear or delivery side of the platform. The binder-arm, supported on and receiving motion from the crank (P, and controlled by the auxiliary arm d, has an extension movement and a contracting or foldingmovement during a complete revolution in the process of binding a gavel. In its extension movement it is thrown out at full length to the front of the platform, where it divides the intiowing grain and grapples and gathers into form the gavel to be bound. Itpasses to the rear of the platform, carrying the gavel with it, and in its passage through the channel a is so controlled by the.

arm (I that the tying devices are kept in proper relative position to the surface of said platform. After the gavel is bound the binderarm is elevated with a folding movement toward the arm d" and cross-head a, and is carried back over the platform and above the grain on the line d, Fig. 1. By this arrangement and operation of the binder-arm the platform it presents a free open way for the passage of the gavel as it is carried from the front to the rear in the process of binding, while in the return movement of the binder-arm the bindingwire, the end of which is held by the clampsin the end of said binder-arm, is drawn upward through the channel in the platform, and

draws the grain for the next bundle into compact form to the front side, ready to be grasped by the said binder-arm, as above indicated.

The relative lengths of the auxiliary arm d and crank d, and the upper portion,d", of the binder-arm, may be varied in the construction of different machines, which variation will not change the general movement of the binder-arm, but will simplycause the latter to travel .in a slightly different path, to which the other parts of the machine may be readily made to conform.

In the revolution of the crank d the binderarm is carried to the rear or delivery end of the platform, its lower end, on which is supported the twister, passing down into and through the channel (L The lower end of the binder-arm, in the rear movement of the latter, is guided and held steadily in its course by the auxiliary arm. (1, so that the pinion of the twister will be engaged by the cog-rack b, and the necessary motion be imparted to tie the band around the gavel. When the pinion of the twister has passed to the rear, beyond the cog-rack, the auxiliary arm will cause the return of the binder-arm back over the platform and grain to the front side of the platform, the point'of said binder-arm following the path indicated by the dotted lines (1 Fig. 1. The lower end, d of the binder-arm is curved and pointed, as shown, and has formed in its under side, and near its point, a recess, d", in which the twister is placed. The twister is supportedin suitable bearings in the slotted bar d, secured to the under side of the binderarm, across the recess (1. The upper side of the binder-arm has formed in it the guide-slot d", Fig. 2. This slot commences slightly back from the point, and extends inwardly to the center of the arm, and terminates at a point over the twister. The binding-wire is caught by the point of the arm, and is directed along the side into the slot, which guides it into the jaws of the twister.

A is the twister, placed in the recess (1 on the under side of the binder-arm, and is composed of the spindle or shaft 0, the cutting and clamping device f, and the guide-plate g, the. whole being supported in the bar ll The spindle or shaft 0 has its lower end journaled in the bar (1 with capability of free and unlimited revolution. Its portion 0 is carried downward through the slot d, and has affixed thereto the pinion e which revolves in said slot, and is so arranged that it will be engaged by the cog-racl; b, and thereby impart the necessary revolving motion to the twister A.

The cutting and clamping device f is composed of the head-block j, the two cutting and clamping platesf f the two shoulder-plates f f, and the actuating-leverf".

The head-block is formed with a pin or axis, f which is journaled in a bearing in the up-v per end of, and so that it will stand out at right angles to, the spindle 0. It is held in its hearing by a nut, f", on the periphery of which are formed the ratchet-teeth f which are engaged by a pawl f, suitably arranged to lock the device], with the clamping-jaws in proper position to receive the wires drawn intothe twister by the movements ofthebinderarm.

The two cutting and clamping plates f f are pivoted to and arranged one above and the other below the head-block. Each is constructed with a cutting-arm, f and a clamping-arm, f and has formedin it a slot or opening, so as to provide a cam-edge, f, against which the cam-pins of the lever f bear and give a shearing movement to the cutting-arms as said lever is turned in the operation of the machine. The plates f f are so arranged that the cutting-arm of the one and the clamping-arm of the other will be opposite each other on the same side of the head-block. This arrangement, in pairs and in alternate positions, is made so that in the same instant in which the band around the gavel is cut off and released to go with the gavel the end coming IOC from the spool will be caught and held securely by the twister and carried around the next gavel.

The shoulder-plates f 3 are secured rigidly in I position on the head-block. They are formed with the shoulders s 8, against which the cutting-arms hear when severing the band, and against which the clamping-arms hear when grasping and holding the end of wire while 'the latter is being carried around the newlyformed gavel.

The lever f turns on its pivot s, and is so attached thatitlocks itself in its position when turned to a right angle to the axis of the headblock. It is provided with thepins 8 8 which bear against the cam-edges f as its outer end is moved back or fortlnand thus actuates the shears and clamps. This lever is turned by a projection, a on the platform a, near the rear end of the channel a The guide-plate of the twister is composed of the vertical arm g and the horizontal plate g which are turned at or near a right angle to each other. The vertical arm g is curved inward, and has its lower end secured to the -spindle 0, below the bearing of the axle of the device f. Its upper end is about flush with, or slightly above, theupper shoulder-plate, f The horizontal plate is extended outwardat g, so as to form a hook or extension which readily catches the wire, while the inner point or extension, g, is so arranged as to guide the wire directly into the jaws of the twister. The plate g is extended back from the arm g far enough to serve to prevent the turning up of the lever f in the commencement of the movement of the latter. This guide-plate may be made of heavy metal; but 1 prefer to make it of light sheet metal, in which case its top plate is extended and carried around the device f, so as not to interfere with the movement of the latter, and has its end secured to the top of the spindle c, as shown, thus providing a suitable brace, which holds it firmly in position. This plate, formed as described, serves, as the twister is revolved, to catch the wire between the bundle and the guidepulley c and to convey the same to the open shears and clamps. It also serves to regulate the bringing of the twister into position for receiving the wire again after the bundle has been released and as the twister is revolved reversely by the tension of the wire in the return movement of the bundle-arm over the platform and grain.

The platform a is so constructed and arranged that in the operation of the machine the lower end of the binder-arm will extend through the channel a far enough to carry the twister clear of the grain until the wire is drawn entirely around the gavel and both ends thereof are caught in the device f, after which the upper side of the binder-arm, above the twister, comes flush with, or slightly above, the upper surface of the platform, and supports the gavel in the last movements of twisting the ends of the wires together. The two ends of the band, when both are drawn into the device f, are on opposite sides of the shank of the head-block, and being thus held the process of twisting is greatly facilitated, and a much better tie is effected than can be done where the two ends are brought and held together while the tie isbeing made.

In the operation of the machine the bindingwire is carried from the spool through the tension-bar and up through the channel in the platform, apd has its end secured in the jaws of the twister. ln placing the end of the wire in the device 7', before commencing work the binder-arm is drawn to the delivery side of the platform, and the wire is placed with its end uppermost between the jaws nearest the person. The-leverf isthen turned back or away from the person, which movementactnates the jaws of the twister, causing them to clamp the wire, after which the lever should be drawn to the front in such manner as to turn the device f over andbring the wire to the upper side thereof, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The machine is now started, and the binder-arm will be carried back over the platform and behind and around the grain which has been brought onto the platform, as shown in Fig. 1. The point of the binder-arm, in its descent and passage through the channel, comes in contact with the wire between the gavel and the pulley c, which wire is directed into the slot d and to the center immediately over the twister. The plate 9 also catches the wire, and directs it immediately into the jaws. The tension-bar acts and draws the band tight around the gavel. The pinion 0 now ei'igages the cog-rack, and the twisteris revolved, and the wire immediately above the device f is twisted into a firm knot, while the incoming or spool end, which has previously been drawn by the action of the curved arm 9 into a vertical position close against the spindle e, is wound around the latter at e. As soon as the knot of the band is twisted sufliciently the arm f comes in contact with the projection or stop a", and is turned back, which movement closes the front pair of jaws, which cuts the band loose and releases the bound gavel and clamps and holds the incoming or spool end of the wire. The end of the binder-arm returns in the paths d over the platform and grain which has been deposited on said platform during the process j ust described of binding the gavel. In this return movement the portion of wire which was wound around the spindles at c is unwound by the reverse revolution of the twister caused by the tension given by the tension-bar c. When all is unwound the taut wire comes against the arm g, and sets or brings the twister into proper position for commencing the movement of binding the next gavel. The wire is now brought firmly against the grain, and as the point of the binder-arm descends its end is carried down outside of the platform, as shown in Fig. 1', which movement causes the wire to draw at such an angle as will turn the device f over and bring the fixed end into the position shown in Fig. 2, and bring the open jaws to the front, ready to receive the wire, as hereinbeforedescribed, after which the binding of the new gavel is proceeded with the same as in the first case, hervinbefore described.

It; will be seen that in the operation hereinbeforedescribed the grain is gathered and compressed into form by the binder-arm and binding-wire acting togetherindependently of tlie platform, the latter serving simpl to catch the grain as-it comes from the reaper, and to keep the ends of the gavel, when being carried by the arm at across said platforn1,'from tipping to one side or the other off the binding devices.

Having described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a grain-binder, the slotted tension-bar 0 hearing wire-guides at each end, and pivoted at its center to the binder-frame, and actuated by a suitable spring, in the manner and for the purpose set forth.

2. In a twister for grain-biiulers, the guideplate g, constructed as described, in combination with the cutting, clamping, and holding devicef, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

3. The reversible cutting, clamping, and

holding device f, composed of the head-block f, jourualedin the shaft 6, shearing and clamping plates f f, having the cam-edges f, shoulder-plates f and actuating-leverf, having pins 8 all arranged to operate substantially as and for the purposesdescribed.

4. In a twister for grain-binders, the cutting and clamping jaws, pivoted to and arranged in alternate positions and inpairs on opposite sides'of a reversible head-block journaled in a revolving shaft, and operated substantially as and for the purposes hereiubefore set forth.

5. The bifurcated binder-arm (I, having the parts or win gs (1' (1' flared or separated, and provided with corresponding bearings (1,

formed or placed at the points of their widestseparation at the junction between the upper and lower arms, 01 d, the outer ends of said wings d' (1 being drawn close together, embracing the end of the auxiliary arm (1 and held by the pin (1' all arranged, in combination with suitable operating machinery, substantially as set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ANDREW STARK.

Witnesses:

WM. J. Oseoon, P. B. TURPIN. 

